CSA Xpert

Soil and field preparation: The black gram crop can be grown in the rabi/summer season after the rice on a variety of soils provided drainage is satisfactory. It can be grown in heavy and light textured soil if the initial moisture is adequate to establish the crop.

Field preparation – No field preparation is required. Pre-sowing herbicide management is done to control the rice ratoon and clear the weeds in the field. Application of glyphosate @ 1.23 kg ai/ha is recommended 7 days before sowing.

Sowing – The treated seeds are sown in lines using seed drill at a depth of around 4-5cm. The row to row spacing was maintained at 25 cm. For sowing about 25 kg seeds per ha are used.

Fertilizer application – Chemical fertilizer application at the rate of 20:40:20 kg NPK per ha is recommended and applied as basal at the time of sowing.

Water management – Under the rainfed situation, the black gram crop is grown on the residual moisture from the previous crop.

Weed management – Application of pendimethalin 30 EC @ 3.75 ml/l in 800 litres water/ha should be used within 2 days after sowing. If the weedicide is not applied, weeds should be handpicked after 20-25 days after sowing (DAS). If needed, one more handpicking should be done as and when required.

Harvesting – The black gram is generally harvested when 85% of the pods are fully matured. The harvested stacks are kept for drying on threshing floor. The harvesting should be avoided in bad weathers.